Signal light for marine aviation and vehicular use



July 15, 1958 G. v. w. ROTH ETAL SIGNAL LIGHT FOR MARINE AVIATION AND VEHICULAR USE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed April 11, 1952 v jnverzzans Jester lla/s 'mnf V Wfioe .Iflamqys July 15, 1958 cs. v. w. ROTH ET AL 2,343,834

' SIGNAL LIGHT FOR MARINE AVIATION AND VEHICULAR USE Original Filed April 11, 1952 r 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jnvenzars .Zesfer Mala/P draw! VWIoZ'fi G. V. W. ROTH ETAL SIGNAL LIGHT FOR MARINE AVIATION AND VEHICULAR USE 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 July 15, 1958 G. v. w. ROTH ETAL SIGNAL LIGHT FQR MARINE AVIATION AND VEHICULAR USE Original Filed April 11, 1952 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Invenfans Jester Wal.s& are?! I. Wfiaf/z' .lztorreeya IGNAL LIGHT FUR MARINE AVIATION AND VEHICULAR USE Grant V. W. Roth and Lester V. Walsh, Chicago, Ill.

Original application April 11, 1952, Serial No. 281,834, now Patent No. 2,719,281, dated September 27, 1955. Divided and this application July 20, 1955, Serial No. 523,161

I 9 Claims. (Cl. 340--25) This invention relates to signalling and identification lights for use with aircraft, marine vessels, land vehicles and the like.

identification lighting systems for aircraft have been devised and flashing lights have been employed. These flashing lights, while serving to indicate aircraft or other vehicles, are subject to certain limitations. Such a light may not always be distinguishable from other flashing lights in the community over or through which the vehicle is passing. Furthermore, such lights oftentimes fail to provide sufiicient power to be identified at great distances.

A primary object of this invention is to provide an improved signal lighting system for vehicular use wherein a greater range of visibility of the light source is provided.

A further object is to provide an improved lighting system wherein a predetermined pattern of light is formed, and serves as a positive means of identification.

it is a still further object of this invention to provide an improved lighting system wherein a plurality of movable light-beams are employed and dispersed throughout a generally hemispherical area.

A further object of this invention is to provide a light beam emanating from a light source on a rotating base with a range of movement between limits defined by the rotating base and a line generally perpendicular to the center of the rotating base.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved signalling device wherein a signal beam is projected to indicate the relative position of the device with relation to the spatial area surrounding the device.

Another object is to provide a signal light with an improved mechanism for imparting movement to a light beam or beams.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved signal and identification light with one type of identifying signal which can be seen at one distance from the light and another type of identifying signal which can be seen at a lesser distance.

Other objects of the invention will appear from time to time in the course of the ensuing specification and claims.

Referring generally now to the drawings:

Figure 1 illustrates an airborne vehicle carrying lights of the character employed herein;

Figure 2 illustrates a preferred form of signal light embodying the identification principles referred to here "'gurc illustrates an enlarged view of one of the employed in the lighting structure of Figure 2; l' igurc 4 illustrates a sectional view of the lens shown in Figure 3 taken along the line 4--d of Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows a plan view of the device shown in Figure 2 taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 discloses an end elevational view of another form of the invention embodying the identification prin ciples referred to herein;

nited States Patent 2,843,834 Patented July 15, 1958 Figure 7 is an enlarged view of one of the lens units employed in the lighting structure of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a sectional view of the lens structure shown in Figure 7 taken along the line 8-8 of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the embodiment of Figure 6 taken along the line 9--9 of Figure 6;

Figure 10 is a diagrammatic illustration of the pattern of light produced by the device of Figure 6.

The present application is a divisional application based on the disclosure in our application, Serial No. 281,834 filed April 11, 1952 for improvements in Signal Light for Marine Aviation and Vehicle Use, issued September 27, 1955 as Patent No. 2,719,281.

Referring now with particularity to the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like parts throughout, it will be seen that in Figure 1, we have shown an aircraft with our proposed lighting structures in a desired location.

A indicates generally an aircraft, and 2, 4 and 6 refer to hemispherical transparent housings containing the lighting mechanisms which we preferably employ. It will be appreciated that the location of the lighting structures is not critical. It should be borne in mind, however, that in providing an effective signalling and identification light for such a vehicle, light rays emanating from the housings should be dispersed through a spatial area limited only by the vehicle carrying the lights. As shown, this spatial area is defined by the hemispherical housings and the vehicle to which the housings are attached.

In Figure 2 we have disclosed a plurality of light pattern forming structures L and L including a plu rality of light sources movably mounted on a supporting structure 8 adapted for attachment to a vehicle or the like. A transparent hemispherical housing 10 is secured to the supporting structure 8 by any suitable means such as a nut and bolt connection 12. The housing 10 may be colored to give different lighting effects.

14 and 16 represent light sources of the sealed beam variety preferably, carried in supporting rings 18 mounted on and inclined to a rotatable base structure indicated generally at 20. The rotatable base structure 20 preferably includes an upright motor-supporting bracket 22 and a cross-piece 24 employed to hold the light sources 14 and 16 in spaced relationship. An upstanding member 22a on the bracket 22 holds the crosspiece 24 in diametrically spaced relation.

Mounted on the ends of the cross-piece 24 are a pair of light source supporting structures 26 having supporting engagement with the supporting rings 18. The base 21) is rotatably mounted on an upright bearing 28 suitably fixed to the supporting structure 8 by any suitable means such as the flanges 30 and bolts or rivets 32. A depending hollow pivot member 2011 is fixed to base 20 and is received within bearing 28. Suitable collars 20b and 200 may be fixed to the pivot member 20a to hold the pivot member 20a and base 20 in spaced relation to hearing 28 and preclude axial movement with respect thereto.

A motor M is supported by the supporting bracket 22 and has an output shaft 34 driving a pinion gear 36. Operatively connected to the pinion gear 36 is an annular or ring gear 38 mounted on the supporting structure 8.

The annular or ring gear 38 may be fixed to the supporting structure 8 by any suitable fastening means such as bolts or rivets 4d. When the motor M revolves pinion 36, it will be appreciated that the lighting structures will be rotated with the movable base 20. The motor M is also employed to rotate a plurality of dual lens units forming patterns of light L and L a lens unit being located adjacent to each light source 14 and 16. In this form of the invention, each lens unit is identical for each light source, and therefore adescription of one will sufiice as a description of both.

Each lens unit comprises a dual lens structure, one lens being indicated at 44 and the other lens being indicated at 46. The two lenses are mounted on a pivot member 48 for rotational movement with respect to the pivot member 48. Suitable hollow collars 44a and 4611 are threadably received in the center of each lens 44 and 46 for reception of the pivot member 43. The two collars 44a and 46a have bossed end portions 44b and 46b in bearing contact with each other and hold the lenses 44 and 46 at a slight distance from one another. A suitable nut 48a on pivot member 48 is employed to prevent the lenses 44 and 46 from slipping off of the end of pivot member 46. Pivot member 48 is fixed to a supporting member 511 as at 50a carried at its opposite ends by the supporting structure 26 and the supporting ring 18. A suitable guard 52 is fixed to the supporting ring and extends outwardly from the light source 14 parallel to the axis of pivot member 48. The two lenses 44 and 16 are of ditferent diameters and have their circumferential portions beveled as at 54 for driving engagement with a conical driving element 56. The dual lens structure of different diameters here employed produces a spiral patspeeds. The lens element 44, which may be formed of glass, plastic or other suitable material, has one face which is nearest the light source 14 provided with a series of grooves to refract the light emanating from light source 14. Lens element 46 also has a series of light refracting grooves formed on its face nearest the light source. A variety of grooves may be employed to create this spiral pattern of the light beam. However, We have found that inclined groove on the order of 50 degrees as shown in Figure 4 is advantageous. In any event, the outer limits of the spiral pattern should be on the order of 45 degrees to each side of axis 48 in order to cover the'arc defined by the support and the axis of rotation of the base, the are being struck about the intersection of that axis and the support. When the two lenses are driven at different speeds, a movable light beam forming a spiral pattern is produced.

The light sources 14 and 16 have conduits 14a and 16a leading to a source of electrical energy. Since the conduits 14a and 16a may be supplied with such a source of energy by a wide variety of means the source is not shown herein. As shown in Figure 2, the conduits 14a and 16a are received within the hollow shaft a and extend to any suitable slip ring assembly (not shown).

The conic driving element 56 is fixed to a shaft 58 suitably journalled in the support structure 26 which is in driven relationship to a flexible drive cable 60 operatively connected to motor M. If desired, suitable spring means may be employed by the conical driving element 56 and the supporting structure 26 to hold the conical drive element 56 in engagement with the beveled faces of the two lens elements 14 and 46 and thus compensate for any wear that may take place in the lens elements and conical driving element. It will be understood that any suitable transmission 62 may be interposed between the motor M and the flexible drive cables 60.

The two lighting structures which are rotatably mounted on the supporting structure 8 will create a definite pattern of light when base member 20 is rotated by motor M and the lens units L are rotated by the motor M. At any given point of rotation of the base 20, the spiral patterns produced by the lens units L will effectively throw out a definite pattern of light covering a generally hemispherical area defined by the translucent housing 10.

Referring to Figures 6 through 9, another form of the invention including a pair of light pattern forming structures L and L is shown. This form of the invention includes a fixed supporting member adapted for attachment to a vehicle and a pair of light sources 72 and 74. The light sources 72 and 74 are carried by supporting rings '76 suitably supported by diametrically spaced bracket members 78 fixed appropriately as by means of bolts 81 to a rotatable base 82. The rotatable base 82 carries a depending shaft 84 fixed at the center of the rotating base and having an end portion journaled in a motor supporting bracket member 86 depending from the supporting structure 711. Suitable thrust bearing members 8411 and 86a may be provided on the shaft 84 and bracket member 86 to support the shaft 84 and base 32. A motor M is fixed to the bracket 86 by means of bolts 38 and drives a worm 90 in driving engagement with a worm wheel 92 suitably keyed to shaft 84. The motor M thus serves as a means for rotating shaft 84 and the base 62. If desired, a bearing member 94 depending from the base 82 may be in supporting and bearing contact with an upstanding bearing member 96 on the supporting structure 70.

Power for the two light sources 1 2 and '74 is provided from electrical conduits @t in contact with a member 1529 on the base 82 and insulated from the base 82 by means of a collar 1112 formed of rubber or other suitable insulating material. The member 1115} has a depending guide 1114 received within the insulating collar 1112. A spring biased plunger 166 is received in the guide 1516 and contacts a ring 1118 supported by the supporting structure 76 and insulated therefrom by means of a spacer ring The contact ring 1198 is connected to a source of electrical energy such as a battery B by means of a conduit 112. The battery B is illustrated only in a diagrammatic sense and has an electrics connection to the motor M. As the base 82 rotates about the supporting structure it? on the axis 8 the plunger will contact stationary ring 1118 and establish an electrical connection between conduit 112 and the light sources 72 and '74.

Since each lens unit is the same as the other in function and structure a description of one will sufiice for the other. Each lens unit preferably includes two double refracting lenses 114 and 116. The two lenses 114 and 116 are threaded on a collar 118 which is rotatably mounted on a shaft 120 supported by a member 122 on the light source supporting rings 76. The lens units have their inner faces grooved to provide prisms for refracting light emanating from light sources 72 and 74. As shown each lens refracts the light so as to produce two light beams out of any one beam focused on the lens. The lens 114, by reason of the grooves on its inner face produces two light beams for each of the two light beams emanating from the lens 116. Thus four light beams are produced from the single light beam from the source 72. By making the grooves on the lenses of a desired configuration, the four light beams passing through the lens 114 may be spaced so as to have a divergence on the order of 90 degrees with relation to shaft 126. In the form shown, the grooves on the lenses are on the order of 80 degrees. By reason of having each of the lenses 114 and 116 threadably mounted on a supporting collar 118, one lens may be adjusted with relation to the other thereby producing a variety of figures and forms defined by the four light beams.

The two lenses 114 and 116 are rotated by means of a frictional driving element 124. The inner lens 116 has an end bevelled as at 126 and in driving engagement with the frictional drive element 124. The frictional drive element 124 has a depending shaft journalled in a bearing member 128 fixed to the rotatable base 82. The shaft carries a pinion gear 129 which is driven by an idler gear 130 suitably journalled in the bearing member 128. The idler gear 130 has another gear 132 formed on its lower face which is in driving engagement with a ring or annular gear 134 fixed on the supporting structure 70. Thus, after the base 82 is rotated by motor M idler gear 130 will be rotated by ring gear 134 through the interme diate gear 132, and will rotate pinion gear 129 and the frictional drive element 124, thus rotating the lens 116 and lens 114. If desired, a suitable spring 136 may be interposed between the bearing member 128 and the frictional drive element 124 to compensate for wear and deterioration of the lens 116 and drive element 124.

It will be realized that in the form of the invention shown in Figures 6 through 10 inclusive we have etfectively provided 8 light beams movably mounted on the rotatable base 82. As the base 82 is rotated with relation to the light source 72, movement of the 4 light beams emanating from the lens 114 of each light source 72 and 74 is produced. In Figure 10 we have illustrated diagrammatically the pattern of light emanating fro-m the lens 114.

We have represented, more or less diagrammatically, how the light pattern formed by the lens unit of Figures 6, 7 and 8 may be varied. Assuming that the two lenses 114 and 116 have their inclined light retracting surfaces disposed parallel to each other, light emitted from the source 72 is doubly refracted by lens 116 and again doubly refracted by lens 114, producing four light beams A A A and A in a straight line. By adjusting lens 114 about collar 118 with relation to lens 116, the beams produced will move consecutively into the positions B B B and B and C C C and 0*. Thus means are provided for creating a wide variety of patterns for the movable light beams.

While it will be realized that we have shown herein a preferred form of the invention, we Wish it to be understood that the drawings and explanation thereof should be taken in an illustrative rather than in any limiting sense, and that the invention shown and described herein is capable of many modifications within the spirit of the invention and should be limited only as defined by. the hereinafter appended claims. For example, the area covered by the pattern of ilght may be increased to one greater than hemispherical but less than spherical by elevating each of the rotating bases with respect to the supporting structures and adjusting the light pattern forming strum tures L and L or L and L so that the light beams traverse a path limited generally by the vertical axis of rotation and a line inclined to the vertical axis at an angle greater than that formed by the vertical axis and rotatable base.

The use and operation of our invention are as follows:

The supporting structures 8, 70 or 150 of each of the lights may be appropriately fixed to the structure of an airplane or other vehicle. By reason of employing the transparent housing ll), we create a residual glow in the housing as the light structures are moved within the housing due to the refractory and dispersing qualities of the transparent housing. Each of the lighting structures enclosed within the transparent housing produces a plurality of movable light beams emanating from the transparent housing, thus effectively covering a hemispherical area. It is well known that a beam of light can be seen for a greater distance than can a light source of the same intensity with no specific beam. By providing a definite pattern to the light beams emanating from the transparent housing a positive means of identifying an aircraft or other vehicle from lights in a surrounding area is established. For example, in the form of the invention shown in Figures 2 to 5, inclusive, the light beams emanating from each of the two light structures L follow a spiral pattern. The two spiral patterns created are continuously rotated through 360 degrees about the axis 28. The speed of rotation of the base number 20 may be so related to the speed of the spiral path taken by the light beams emanating from the light sources 14 and 16 that the beam pro- In the form of the invention shown in Figures 6 through 10, inclusive, we provide a pattern of light con sisting of a plurality of beams emanating from each of the lenses 116. In this form the pattern of light produced may be varied by adjusting one lens 116 with relation to the other lens 114. When the base 82 is then rotated the patterns produced by the lens elements 114 and 116 may be observed at any point in the hemispherical area covered by these light beams. If desired the relationship of the speed of rotation of the lenses 114 and 116 to the speed of rotation of the base 82 may be set so as to create any desired frequency of the light pattern.

While we do not show any device for varying the speed of rotation of the bases with relation to the speed of movements of the light beams, such may be readily accomplished by employing a suitable step up or step down transmission between the lens driving elements of Figures 2 through 10 and the motors.

If it is assumed that an aircraft is approaching the aircraft A from any point in the hemispherical areas defined by the housings 2, 4 or 6 and is at a great distance from the aircraft A, a pilot or other person in the approaching aircraft will first see a periodic pulsating light, this pulsating effect being created by the movement of the beam of light into and out of his line of sight to the aircraft A. The period between pulsations is established by the speed of rotation of the base and the speed of movement of the light beam as previously set forth. As the distance between the approaching aircraft and the aircraft A decreases, the definite patterns of the light beams shown and described herein will become distinguishable, for example the spiral pattern of Figures 2 through 5, and the parabolic series pattern of Figures 6 through 10. That is to say, at a critical or small distance from the aircraft A the patterns of light beams emitted from the housings will clearly distinguish the aircraft, give positive identification of the aircraft, and warn a pilot or person in the approaching aircraft of the proximity of the aircraft A. If the approaching aircraft is at a great distance from the aircraft A with no danger of collision, only the pulsating effect of the light beams will be visible.

The identification and signalling structures shown herein are also employed to indicate the relative position of an observer with relation to the vehicle carrying the structures. This is done by adjusting the light pattern forming structures so that a certain frequency of the signal beam is observed at some points in the spatial area surrounding the vehicle, and another frequency is: observed at other points in the spatial area. In other words, a plurality of the signal beams are caused to pass successively into and out of the line of sight of the observer at some of the points during one revolution of the base, and a single one of the signal beams passes into and out of the line of sight of the observer at other points in the spatial area during one revolution of the base. In Figures 6 through 10, the rotating light beams produced by each of the light pattern forming structures L and L overlap (or pass through the same points) generally at those points in the spatial area defined by the conic area formed by the axis of rotation 84 and lens axis 120, as the base 82 rotates about its axis 84 thereby producing a different frequency at those points. It will be appreciated that the areas of different frequencies may be enlarged or diminished by adjusting the relationship of the light beams of Figures 6 through 10 (as shown in Figure 10) or by varying the spiral pattern of Figures 2 through 5.

Thus it will be seen that We have provided a signalling and identification light which can be seen at great distances, provided identification at those distances and gives 7 a positive identification of its associated vehicle at critical or smaller distances.

We claim:

l. A signalling and identification light comprising in combination, a supporting structure, a rotatable base on said supporting structure, a motor adapted to rotate said base, a light source on and rotatable With said base for creating a beam of light, means for moving said beam of light with relation to said base during rotation thereof said light source being fixed in relation to said base, a

said means including a movable reflecting lens unit positioned in light-receiving relationship to said light source and means including motion-transmitting elements effective to cause simultaneous rotation of said base and said lens unit in response to actuation of said motor.

2. A structure as described in claim 1 wherein said lens unit comprises a plurality of movable light retracting lenses positioned in light receiving relationship to said light source.

3. In a lighting and signalling apparatus, a supporting structure, a base rotatably mounted on said supporting structure, means for rotating said base about an axis angularly disposed in relation to the plane occupied by said supporting structure, a plurality of light sources mounted on said base for producing a plurality of light beams, and means for moving said light beams with relation to said base between limits defined generally by the planes occupied by said supporting structure and axis of rotation of said base, said light source being mounted in fixed relation to said base, said means including a movable reflecting lens unit positioned in light-receiving rela tionship to said light source, said means for rotating said base and for moving said light beams including a motor and an actuating connection between said motor and said base and said lens unit effective to cause simultaneous rotation of said base and movement of said lens unit in response to actuation of said motor.

4. A structure as described in claim 3 wherein a plural retracting lens unit is movably mounted in light-receiving relationship to each said source and means are provided for adjusting the individual lenses of the lens unit with relation to each other.

5. A structure as described in claim 3 wherein a plurality of relatively movable retracting lenses are positioned in light receiving relationship to each said light source,

and including means for moving said lenses at different speeds.

6. In an identification and signal light, a support, a base rotatably mounted on said support, a motor adapted to rotate said base, a plurality of light sources mounted on said base, a plurality of movable light beams emanating from said light sources and means for moving said light beams with relation to said base, said means including a movable reflecting lens unit positioned in light-receiving relationship to each said light source and an actuating connection between said motor and said base and lens unit effective to cause simultaneous rotation of said base and movement of said lens unit in response to actuation of said motor.

7. A structure as described in claim 6 wherein each light source is mounted in fixed relationship to the base and a plural retracting lens unit is movably mounted in light-receiving relationship to each light source and means are provided for adjusting the individual lenses of the lens units with relation to each other.

8. A structure as described in claim 6 wherein each light source is fixedly mounted on said base and a plurality of relatively movable retracting lenses are positioned in light-receiving relationship to said light sources and ineluding means for moving said lense at different speeds.

9. A signalling and identification light comprising, in combination, a support, a rotatable base on said support, a light source fixed on said base for rotation therewith and angularly disposed in relation to the plane occupied by said base and in relation to the axis of rotation of said base, said light source being effective to emit a beam of light in a path angularly disposed with relation to the plane of said base and in relation to the axis of rotation thereof, a lens unit mounted on said base and positioned in the path of and intersecting said beam of light, and means for simultaneously rotating said base and moving said lens unit.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,278,877 Hobart Apr. 7, 1942 2,332,383 Kost Oct. 19, 1943 2,345,382 Cramer Mar. 28, 1944 2,578,239 Cosswiller Dec, 11, 1951 2,699,536 Roth et a]. Jan. 11, 1955 

